The fire has flared up again to the south of the blaze, which had been brought under control at the start of the week after burning 4,500 hectares.
ADVEReadNOWISEMENT
ADVEReadNOWISEMENT
In just six hours, the new blaze destroyed 1,000 hectares.
Firefighters had anticipated the risk of the fire reigniting. The mistral wind and temperatures close to 40 degrees fanned the embers.
According to the prefect of the Var, Simon Barbre, “the Var is experiencing an appalling tragedy” this summer.
2,500 people have been evacuated near the Gros Bessillon massif, and the village of Correns, which has around a thousand inhabitants, is cut off from the world. The flames have made the access roads impassable and the population is confined.
Seven hundred firefighters have been deployed, backed up by six water-dropping helicopters, eight Canadair water bombers and two Dash aircraft.
This is the fourth major wildfire to hit the centre of the département since 19 July.
Saturday has been classed as a high-risk day because of the wind and heat. Météo-France has issued an orange heatwave alert for the département until midday.